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This is the third year that Israel is issuing a Philately Day stamp. The revenues from the stamp's sales are earmarked for the Philately Promotion Foundation. The Foundation was established by the Postal Authority in conjunction with the Israeli Philatelic Federation in accordance with a recommendation of the International Federation of Philately and the Universal Postal Union. The Foundation intends to support various activities that will assist in enlarging the numbers of people engaged in the hobby of philately, one of the most enjoyable, cultural and varied hobbies for all ages.
The thematic philatelist will include the Philately Day stamp with his collection of "Stamps on Stamps" or "Coins on Stamps". A collector specialising in "The History of Israel on Stamps" will find a special significance in the coin depicted on the five mil stamp from the Doar lvri set. This is a bronze coin from the First Revolt period, bearing the words "Freedom of Zion". Through this stamp, the thematic collector can relate the story of the First Revolt on the pages of his collection.
Moreover, this stamp bears direct reference to the saga of the establishment of the modern State of Israel. During the stormy months of early 1048, before a name had finally been given for the new State, it was decided to print its first stamps with a neutral name - "Doar Ivri" - Hebrew Post. The traditional philatelist will certainly attempt to identify "the stamp", which is shown on this stamp. Was it printed from the first plate or possibly from the second plate? The first printings of the Doar Ivri stamps were done under difficult technical and 'underground' conditions. The results of these conditions are recognisable in the types of paper, the printing on the tabs, the printing letters which were reset time and time again and the different perforating machines which were used. The five mil stamp was printed on four different types of paper, more than 40 tab varieties can be found and there are many perforation varieties. The research continues, bringing much enjoyment to the many Doar Ivri collectors around the world. The postal history philatelist is interested primarily in the direct postal usages of the stamp. He would want to include in his collection a cover bearing only a fine mil stamp - and this is not simple, since it was principally intended for printed matter sent abroad by sea. Furthermore, this philatelist will attempt, insofar as possible, to expand a collection of envelopes bearing this stamp. He will also try to find covers with postmarks dated as close as possible to 16th May 1948, the day on which 80 post offices of the new State began operating, each having its own distinct postmark.
On 16th May 1948 the Doar Ivri stamps did not reach besieged cities such as Jerusalem and Nahariya. The philatelist will try to locate the first envelopes bearing the Doar Ivri stamp that were sent from these cities.
The 1991 Philately Day stamp thus unfurls the story of our distant past, the First Revolt, and our recent past, the establishment of the State of Israel. The stamp also demonstrates the development of a special branch of art - the art of stamp design. The collage technique and selection of the pastel colours used as background for the original stamp create an attractive and unique combination of the styles of the different years.
